Charles "Speakie" Stephens, Jr.

C. W. Stephens, Jr.

Wrens, GA  – Charles Wynn “Speakie” Stephens Jr., 93, loving husband of 60 years to the late Mary Jeanne Robinson Stephens, went to be with his Lord on Thursday morning, August 21, 2014 at Jefferson Hospital in Louisville. Funeral services will be held in the James Funeral Home Chapel at 4:00PM, Sunday, August 24, 2014 with his grandson, Rev. Evan English, pastor of Clover Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Clover SC and Rev. Thad Harvey, pastor of Wrens United Methodist Church, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in Wrens Memorial Cemetery.

One of six children born to the late Charlie and Annie Barton Stephens, Speakie was a lifelong resident of Wrens and “lifelong” member of Wrens United Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday School, served as a Trustee, and was a lay preacher. A true patriot, he served in the U.S. Army during WWII as a clerk typist with the 1721st Signal Service Battalion in the South Pacific and was the last surviving charter member of American Legion Post 229. He was also instrumental in establishing the Veterans Park in the center of Wrens. After his military service, he followed his father’s footsteps as the owner, editor and publisher of the Jefferson Reported from 1946-1987. During his time, he won numerous awards for articles he wrote. In 1979, he and his beloved Jeanne began the “Ancestoring” column in the Jefferson County newspaper, which he continued to write til the very end.  Speakie also served as a mail carrier in Matthews and Avera. He loved and ministered to those along his mail route, and, thanks to his friendly “horn honking” each patron knew exactly when their mail had arrived.  Speakie was very active in the Wrens community, serving as a volunteer fireman, city councilman, and an officer for Wrens Memorial Cemetery. In 2005, he won “The Giving You Best Award” sponsored by News Channel 6 for his commitment to the community.  Speakie’s love for people was exemplified by his service and commitment not only to his family, his church, the community, but also the county in which he resided, as well as surrounding counties, his state and his country.  This icon of our community—his sharp mind, knowledge and wit—will be greatly missed.  There has never been, nor will there ever be another Speakie Stephens!

C. W. was also preceded in death by four siblings, Elizabeth Stephens Richardson, Ralph Haygood Stephens, John Barton Stephens and Robert Clarence Stephens. Survivors include three daughters, Elizabeth Allison of North Augusta SC, Jeannie English (Billy) of Martinez, and Cyndi Culpepper of Martinez; a sister, Norma Godowns of Orangeburg SC; six grandchildren, Charlie Allison (Michelle), Evan English (Kim), Jonathan English (Caroline), Austin English, Blythe Culpepper and Brooke Culpepper; and six great grandchildren, Travis Relken, Harrison English, Owen English, Aidan Allison, Carsten English and Annelise English; many nieces, nephews and friends. Pallbearers will be Charlie Allison, Austin English, Evan English, Jonathan English, Travis Relken, and Dean Hadden.  Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Bennett Clark, Kenneth Prescott and American Legion Post 229.

The family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to Wrens United Methodist Church Kitchen Fund, 202 Russell St, Wrens GA 30833 or to Wrens Memorial Cemetery, c/o Hugh Fleming, 104 Norton Dr, Wrens GA 30833.

The family will receive friends at James Funeral Home from 5:00-8:00PM Saturday, August 23, 2014.

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